News Update - June 22

We are planning on entering the Luton Team Relay event on 17th July - we have enough sabreurs to rope in to enter 3 teams potentially - we are short of foilists and epeeists. If you're interested please speak to Liam, Bev or email Jon. For those who will feel bad about not doing something involving fencing that weekend, there is also the Norfolk Open that weekend. If you're going let us know how you do.

There is some interesting activity going on in the world of regional fencing (short story - British fencing is doling out some money and region is meeting in July to carve out a development plan). So far we've come up with the following:
Region-wide performance days
Greater emphasis on armourers/refereeing courses
Incentives for coaches to progress beyond level 1
Develop more sabreurs as a region
Promote youth fencing.

If you've got anything you'd like to see delivered at a regional level then please come and see me.

Finally, if we get the numbers we will be running a beginners course from 7 July. If you're not yet a member and fancy joining the course then please get in touch!

St Albans win Herts County Team Foil

Congratulations to Terry, Andy and Paul from the St Albans Fencing Club – They took 1^st place in the annual Herts Team Foil.

Liam seemed to be able to perform a sort of loaf and fishes miracle by being able to kit out the Herts Uni team from his old kit bag and then still have a jacket spare for Dale.

Seven teams took part, 5 from St Albans, one from Herts Uni and one from Paul’s new club at Verulam school . We held a short AGM for the Herts County and then moved on to the competition – Two pools, one with 3 teams and the other with 4 were held, the best two teams from each heat going on the semis.

Tony, Zoe, Matt were up against the Uni team. Andy, Terry and Paul (St Albans A) up against St Albans C (James, Liam and Dale). The C team set them selves the target of being team A’s highest scoring opponents, they managed to streak into a fantastic 3 -0! lead before settling down to a respectable 23 – 45 defeat, Liam being the star by managing to pull back 9 points before his opponent ratcheted up his 5 points.

The final was between two St Albans teams – Zoe, Matt and Tony against Terry, Andy and Paul. St Albans A emerging victorious in a match which without a doubt was between the two best teams.

I know it’s been Shavuot this week, and if I’d paid a bit more attention I’d have remembered more of the 10 commandments, but as far as I do remember, some of them were:

- Thou shalt not go out on the razz the night before and not expect to feel as sick as a dog when you fence

- Thou shalt not watch the box, but shall wait for the president to call halt before you stop fencing.

- Thou shall not sit down between pools, ‘cos you’ll never be able to get up again.

Thank you Liam for organising the event, as ever well run and to time. Hopefully we’ll see some other clubs being beaten by St Albans next year.

News Update:

Good news for those who spoke up about Olympics tickets - we have our full twenty and so if you wanted part of the allocation cheques for £30/ticket to Philip soon please - preferably before the end of the month.

Sword Fighters kit remains in a bit of limbo. British Fencing put a notice around a few weeks ago. The undertone is fairly obvious that for the time being, until SPF kit gets kite marks and the likes, you would probably be best avoiding it for more substantial purchases (socks are probably OK!)

We are now on Facebook for those of you who use these things. No plans for Twitter yet.....

The Open Air starts to loom closer and closer - We are wrapping up final details of venue but it looks very likely to be Verulam School (as a bit of a departure from our normal foray onto the tennis courts) on September 11. Any volunteers willing and able to lend a hand setting up in the morning/sort out pool sheets and the likes would be very much appreciated.

Finally a quick thanks to Helen for hosting the rounders a couple of weeks ago - much fun was had by all even if we do need to consider a new ball!

PS: Herts Team Foil and AGM on June 11. Even if you're not fencing come along and cheer for a bit - it all helps.